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One of Ballard (and Seattle’s!) most beloved beer brands, Stoup Brewing is also one of the original breweries that formed the Ballard Brewery District along 52nd St. NW between 14th and 11th Ave NW. Celebrating 13 years in business this year, Stoup’s craft brews of all kinds have also been a longtime staple in the perfectly chilled refrigerated case at Take 5. 

“What Lara and team have accomplished and worked for in creating Stoup is amazing!” says Rebecca. “They do it all and are so inspiring with their attention to detail and commitment to be a self distributor. Take 5 is committed to supporting them by dedicating a full shelf in the shop so the neighborhood can pick up some really good beer on the way home!”

Here, the trio of co-owners behind the magic, husband-and-wife team Lara Zahaba and Brad Benson, and Robyn Schumacher — along with Stoup’s sales rep Aeron Jarvis — share Stoup’s origin story, what inspires them, which beer every newbie must try, and how you can soon find them in the center of the biggest sporting event to hit Seattle! 

How did your business get started?

We are three beer lovers — two scientists and a seasoned beer connoisseur. Sounds cheesy but we kind of created our own dream and built Stoup Brewing.

Brad and Lara spent years chasing great flavor — Brad through science and brewing, Lara through food and drink. Together, we refined our craft, curiosity, and palate, hoping to eventually create something of our own.

Mutual friends introduced us to Robyn Schumacher — a teacher, certified Cicerone (the beer equivalent of a wine sommelier), and unapologetic beer geek. With a background in biology and a passion that grew from classroom to brewhouse, she completed the trio.

We had different paths but a shared goal. When we came together, it clicked. Call it chemistry, call it fate — either way, we got together and built Stoup Brewing.

What’s the story behind your brewery  name?

Stoup is something our [Lara and Brad’s] 3-year-old said one day when we were brainstorming and trying all kinds of words in front of "brewing," "brewery," and "beer." Stoup Brewing had a great ring to it and further research found it to be an old English term for the days when you would bring your own tankard/growler into a pub so they could "fill your stoup with ale!" With that discovery, a name was born. 

What inspired you to brew beer? 

We all came of (drinking) age in the early days of the craft beer scene. Brad had a craft beer epiphany on a bike ride through the San Juan Islands when he spotted a beer he didn’t know and had never tried before — from Red Hook Brewing. When he and Lara started dating, their relationship was built on pints of beer tried in breweries and beer pubs everywhere they went. He introduced Lara —who had suffered big-brand macro beer through her college years — to the potential of this elixir. 

Meanwhile, Robyn was discovering delicious Widmer Hefeweizen with her own friends. Beer remained a social passion while careers and families were pursued but for a variety of reasons, we were all ready to throw everything up in the air at the same time when we independently decided to turn our beer passion into our life’s goal. Luckily, we found each other and pursued that goal together starting in 2013.

What makes your products different or special? 

Our dedication to consistency and quality pursued through a scientific lens. Each beer tells a unique story and personality that people can relate to, and we ALWAYS keep it FUN!! 

Do you have a personal favorite product? Why? 

A dedicated ale girl, Lara always opts for our rotating IPAs while reverting to the ever-satisfying Mosaic Pale. That said, Robust porter has a special place in her heart. 

Porter was a style that we enjoyed and saw disappearing from store shelves. We decided to make it one of our core offerings and love it to this day. Brad and Robyn often cite it as their favorite beer to brew for its beautiful color and aromas in the kettle.

For Aeron, Stoup’s sales representative, her favorite keeps changing. Sometimes it’s Mosaic Pale, sometimes German Pilsner, but the one beer she always goes back to is her beloved NW Red. With its beautiful malt and hop complexities and sitting at 5% ABV, it’s a beer for all seasons that pairs well with a variety of foods. 

What should first-timers try? 

Citra IPA – it’s “sunshine in a glass” with a magical hop profile that both IPA lovers and even non-beer drinkers find themselves delighting in. 

What does it mean to you to partner with and be carried by Take 5? Rebecca and the crew at Take 5 are relentlessly passionate about what they do and how they do it. They are caring and intentional about the products they make and products they bring in. Take 5 is more than a partnership, we are part of the same community, we help each other out and give each other hugs. 

If your brand had a personality, how would you describe it in a few words? 

Generous, community driven, inclusive, fun!

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you all or your business? 

We are a smaller operation than most people think! 

What’s next for you that you’re excited about?

We are proud to partner with the City of SeaTac as an official operator of one of that city’s key activation sites for FIFA World Cup 2026. SeaTac is emerging as a vibrant hub for fans, residents, and visitors — and Stoup is excited to help bring that vision to life. 

Throughout June and July, Stoup SeaTac City will be a pop-up taproom adjacent to the DoubleTree Hotel, and will feature daily match viewings on a large screen, alongside a lineup of local food trucks, live entertainment, and community-focused programming designed to offer an inclusive, energetic environment for fans to come together and celebrate the world’s game.

Being part of this moment for SeaTac—and for the broader region—is incredibly meaningful to us. We’re honored to create a space where community, culture, and soccer intersect in a way that reflects the spirit of a global event of this nature.

stoupbrewing.com

Meet Mike Callahan, owner of Mike's Fine Brines, maker of Callhan’s hot sauces, based right right here in Ballard. Callahan’s sauces —  Poblano, Habanero, Ghost Pepper, and Black Pepper Chipotle — have been carried by Take 5 since 2016. “I just love the flavors and especially love supporting a business based in the neighborhood and creating those partnerships,” says Rebecca, whose favorite is habanero, since it’s not too hot and has tons of flavor. 

Get to know Callahan’s origin story:

How did you start your business?

I started Mike's Fine Brines in 2015 to get a hot sauce on the market. I wanted to add a little heat and great flavor to people's favorite foods—but I wasn't looking to blow anyone's hair off! 

I worked in the Seattle restaurant industry for 15 years. I knew I didn't always want to be in the industry, but I also wanted to continue working with food in some capacity. I love hot sauce and I love cooking, so I thought I would try my hand at creating one of my favorite condiments. I now have four hot sauces with varying heat levels. 

Personal Favorite: 

I still enjoy Callahan's Habanero Hot Sauce on my breakfasts! The habanero was my first product I introduced in 2015.

What does it mean to be sold at Take 5?

Take 5 was one of my first grocery accounts in 2016. And I am happy that after all these years my products are still on their shelf. 

What's something people might be surprised to learn about your business?

People might be surprised to know that I am the sole employee. I create the recipes. I cook, bottle, label and deliver every batch of sauce. It's a lot of work but I love it. 

mikesfinebrines.com